Slow First Chapter. Will Speed Up.

Sequel to Unfortunate Life Decisions and Back To the Future.

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Return to Me

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Water rapped gently against the windshield as he drove through the streets of Osaka. The stars were completely covered by the unseen yet undoubtedly thick rain clouds up above. Rain floated down to the ground in gentle waves - the streetlights and neon signs lighting up the air as their light reflected in the soft drizzle. Despite his usual disdain for driving through the city, he'd much rather be safe and dry inside his car than walking out in this nasty mist especially given that he was a guest of honor for this stupid event. Every year he'd donate to charity and every year he'd get invited to these benefits where'd he'd be recognized. Yet that wasn't what he was known for. He wasn't known for his volunteer work or the money he'd donate. Oh no. The media just loved to paint him as a rich playboy who went through women and sake like water. Did they also report that he donated literal millions to cancer research? Not one mention in any article. He was just a rich asshole who prayed on pretty women and got wasted in public that one time. Why they even paid him any mind was beyond him. It wasn't like he'd done anything to deserve his inheritance. He wasn't an actor or activist. Not someone who actually contributed to society in any meaningful way. His father had been wealthy and left him his vast wealth upon his death. He'd never worked a day in his life.

The event was a cancer benefit for the elite of Osaka. It was usually so extravagant that it'd make him wonder whether his sizable donations actually went to research or merely paid for the top shelf liquor that was poured liberally at events like this. Everyone there wasn't there necessarily because they cared about finding a cure but more for networking purposes and to feel better about themselves by having people congratulate them for donating. If it wasn't for the fact that he actually cared about the cause he wouldn't even bother. Both his father and mother had been taken relatively young by the almighty beast that was cancer. In the end, cancer didn't care how much money they had and all the expensive treatment in the world wasn't enough to save them. So he donated half the proceeds from their franchise revenue to research and he volunteered when he could at events. And the rest...the rest he did use on women and booze if he was being honest. Women, booze, his penthouse and his fancy name brand clothes. And his car. Can't forget the car. Maybe the media had a point.

Pulling up to the valet, the ebony haired man stepped out of the car and handed his keys to the attendant before straightening out his tuxedo and heading inside. It was just as disgustingly lavish as ever. Sighing heavily, Ryo set his jaw as he observed the women seemingly dripping ornate jewelry chatter amongst themselves while their husbands in their tuxedos stood close by drinking whatever pricey cocktail they'd decided on. So disgusted and enraptured was he with the display that he failed to notice the poor woman standing in his path and unfortunately ran smack dab into her causing her drink to soak his crisp white shirt.

"Oh my god! I'm so sorry," the woman gasped in a mortified tone as she looked around desperately for a napkin or anything really to clean up the deep crimson stain on an obviously wealthy benefactor. She wasn't wearing high end clothing he observed as he watched her fret. In fact, she seemed to stick out like a sore thumb with the way her hair obviously wasn't professionally done and how a few of her manicured nails were chipped. It was refreshing.

As the woman babbled apologies with watery eyes, Ryo did something that had her nearly fainting in shock. He laughed.

"It's quite alright," he soothed as he glanced down at himself with a amused smirk, "Never liked this shirt anyway."

"I'm so terribly sorry," the woman whispered again - her face flushed a deep crimson, "I...I wasn't paying attention."

"Well you're forgiven," Ryo comforted as he buttoned his suit jacket - a move that covered the offending stain, "There. Can't even tell."

The woman seemed to wilt in relief as she gave him a tenative smile, "I'll pay for the dry cleaning. I honestly feel terrible."

"Don't," Ryo shushed her gently before he extended his elbow, "Are you here by yourself?"

"Unfortunately yes," the woman replied timidly as she gently looped her arm onto his, "I, uh, am here to represent th Police Department because our department volunteers for their events. They get an invite every year and the Chief wanted me to come. I don't think I'm dressed appropriately. I wasn't expecting..."

"You look beautiful," Ryo comforted as he patted her arm, "Would you do me the honor of allowing me to be your escort for the evening? I can't stand most of these people if I'm being honest and you seem like pleasant company. Tell me. What's your name?"

"Chiyo," the brown haired woman responded - a faint blush blooming on her cheeks, "May I ask yours?"

"Ryo," the ebony haired man offered as he approached the usher who recognized him immediately and began leading the pair to a table up at the very front before pausing.

"The lady will need to sit at her assigned table," the usher muttered apologetically, "There isn't an available seat at your table, sir."

Immediately turning a deep shade of crimson, Chiyo hastily disentangled herself from his arm and moved to follow the usher when her new escort's words stopped her in her tracks.

"Is there room at her table?" Ryo asked as he reached out to collect the intriguing woman once more, "Or elsewhere? I will be staying by her side tonight."

"Of...of course," the usher spluttered hastily, "I'll see what I can do."

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She knew why they'd chosen her. This year hadn't exactly been the most stellar one for her career. She'd been taken off a case for reasons her department refused to disclose and had to take several weeks off to undergo psychiatric evaluation after suffering from temporary memory loss during said case. They refused to disclose the facts of the case to her - citing mental health concerns - which irked her all the more. There was nothing wrong with her. It could've been something as simple as a concussion but they'd all been tiptoeing around her recently as though she might break like a china doll. The chief usually was who came to these events yet in a not so subtle gesture of good will, the chief had given her his place. Of course, there was only one ticket and she knew no one here but she appreciated the gesture nonetheless. Especially considering that she was now seated next to a handsome, sweet and considerate honoree who'd also come alone.

"So you donate every year," Chiyo asked quietly as the speeches continued, "That's very generous of you."

"I could probably donate more but I admit I have some very expensive habits that'd be hard to break," Ryo chuckled good naturedly, "So you're a police officer? That must be interesting."

"It has its moments," Chiyo responded with a faint blush on her cheeks, "My father was an officer and I always knew this is what I wanted to do."

"He must be very proud," Ryo responded sagely before his soft smile faltered when she responded in turn that her father died when she was quite young.

"He was investigating a mob ring," Chiyo explained after a moment, "Apparently he got too close to exposing them. I've tried reopening the case many times but they insist it's closed."

"Oh," Ryo answered awkwardly, "I'm, uh, sorry for your loss."

"It was a long time ago now," the woman sighed before giving him an apologetic smile, "I just wish I could find the men who did it."

"You said it was closed. Doesn't that mean they found the culprit?" Ryo asked quietly as the speeches continued on in the background. Shaking her head, the brunette woman sighed before resting her chin on her hand and idly playing with her food, "No. It's what they call a cold case. There were supposedly no leads, no evidence, nothing that could help them find the men who pulled trigger."

"That seems unlikely," Ryo observed sagely before reaching over to brush a stray hair back over her ear, "I'm sorry."

Giving him a warm smile in return, Chiyo couldn't stop the butterflies fluttering in her stomach nor the growing feeling that she'd met this man before. Maybe once. Maybe one hundred times over. But the feeling remained that meeting him was no accident. The moment, nay the very second that thought crossed her mind, the hand that had brushed the hair behind her ear traveled lower...and lower...and lower...and when it flexed around her backside the romantic ideas that had been floating in her mind came to a screeching halt.

"What do you think you're doing?" Chiyo hissed as she slapped his hand away and flushed a deep crimson, "I'm telling you how my father died and that's your reaction?! What type of man are you?"

"I merely wanted to..." Ryo began before wisely closing his mouth as it occurred to him that it would be foolish to finish that thought, "My apologies. I didn't..."

"You didn't what?" Chiyo hissed as she moved her chair a little further away and pointedly refused to look at him, "Here I was thinking how you were so sweet and then you go do that. You're disgusting."

"You misunderstand me. I assure you," Ryo protested weakly - their quiet fight drawing the attention of the others at the table as Chiyo made to get up to leave. Reaching up to gently try to encourage her to sit down once more, he added softly, "I won't do such a thing again."

Sitting back down, Chiyo glared at him for a moment before her expression softened and she huffed gently, "See that you don't."

Grinning at her, Ryo nodded in agreement just as the final speech ended and the ballroom erupted in polite applause. With a heavy sigh, Chiyo excused herself to the bathroom in order to calm herself once more. One minor indiscretion did not a creep make, she told herself. Men were just idiots sometimes and maybe it was an accident. Looking at herself in the mirror, Chiyo ran her pinky along her lips to straighten the line of her lipstick when another woman suddenly approached.

"So you're Friday, huh?" the woman asked in a snarky tone as she turned on the faucet and proceeded to wash her hands, "I was Thursday."

"Excuse me?" Chiyo snorted, "What does that mean?"

"You're his date for tonight, right?" the woman asked snidely as she ran her hands under the water, "That makes you Friday. I'm Thursday. I believe Monday and Tuesday of last week are here tonight as well. Probably more if I had to guess."

"I met him tonight at the ball," Chiyo responded with a bit of a bite in her tone, "Are you telling me he has a different girl every day of the week?"

"Every day of the year more or less," the woman responded coldly, "My advice is to go home while you can. Don't get your hopes up. He's charming and sweet until it's morning and then he'll kick you out like you were a sack of potatoes."

As Chiyo paled and turned her attention back to the mirror, the woman grinned inwardly. Every word that had just left her mouth was complete bullshit. While he did tend to flit from woman to woman without settling down, he wasn't as calloused or cold hearted as she portrayed nor as prolific. Indeed, she had been the closest thing he'd had to a girlfriend and the most recent. Their split had been tumultuous as best - making headlines after they'd got in a screaming match in one of Osaka's fine dining establishments. Still, if she couldn't have him, she'd do everything in her power to stop anyone else from taking her place.

Turning off the water, the woman gave Chiyo one last smile as she flicked her hands and turned to grab a paper towel.

"See you around Friday," the woman crooned before adding pointedly, "Or actually, probably not."

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She wasn't coming back. It'd been an hour since she left for the bathroom and the ball was almost over. It was all because he couldn't stop his stupid impulses. Why the hell did he grope her? That wasn't even his usual M.O. It was almost like a compulsion. He was usually so much smoother when he approached women but something about her was different. She wasn't just some gold digger hoping to hook him. In fact, that probably never even crossed her mind. She was hard working and devoted and most likely - if she wanted to - could kick his ass all the way to Tokyo. On top of all that, it felt like they'd met before. Maybe once. Maybe one hundred times. But it was no matter. He'd probably never see her again...and that didn't sit right with him at all.